I just returned from bowling in the USBC Open Championships Tournament in Corpus Christi, Texas. Again, it was quite an experience. If you have never been to a national tournament, you should go at least one time.
You will find that the lane conditions are completely different from what you bowl on in league. If you want to experience the same conditions, join a league that uses the Sport condition. Those of us who are long in the tooth used to bowl on that condition every league night.
While in Corpus Christi, I visited a casino boat that went out to international waters before allowing any gambling. I don’t need to tell you that I got seasick. The velocity of the wind was between 25 and 35 mph. After six hours when we returned to calmer water, the sickness went away.
There is also a greyhound dog racing track in Corpus Christi where I spent an enjoyable afternoon and reaped some fruit, so to speak.
Back home, I found that a lot of you were bowling up a storm; I have a stack of honor score reports over an inch thick on my desk. We are approaching 700 honor scores for the 2005-2006 season.
In the 1985-1986 season, there were only 80 total honor scores for the entire season. Either it’s getting easier to score on today’s conditions with today’s equipment or the bowlers are just getting better.
Today’s bowlers started when they were 5 to 6 years old and received coaching from good bowlers, but most of their success has to be because of the new approved lane conditions and equipment. They no longer use hard rubber or plastic balls, and the oil on the lanes is being applied to enhance scoring.
Later this month, we are going to Orlando, Florida to attend the first-ever USBC Convention. There are several rule changes to be voted on by the delegates. It will also be the first chance for the USBC board to explain the need for the $2 increase in dues that takes effect for this summer’s leagues. The new dues structure is $10 for the national, $8 for the local, and $1 for the state (if your state association charges dues).
I hope your league is running smoothly so far. Most problems and complaints come in the final months of the league. Remember that if you want to protest something that happens, you only have 15 days to file it in writing to the league’s board of directors (see USBC Rule 119). Most problems can be solved at the organizational meeting at the beginning of the season, so attend and voice your opinion. If you don’t attend, you can’t complain about the league rules that were adopted.
Secretaries: Remember that according to USBC Rule 102e, you are required to submit the final averages of your league members to the local association secretary (named association manager by the new bylaws of USBC) at the completion of competition or by the date set by the association. All those that do not send in the final averages will be listed on our Web site and in the average book. If you don’t want to be embarrassed, please make sure you send the averages to us.
Hope to see you at the Association Championship Tournament and the Virginia State Championship Tournament that this year is being held in our area.